sound of someone nearby; sound of a person approaching
Dated term for the sound of a person's presence, such as footsteps or voice, indicating someone is near or coming. Often used in literary or nostalgic contexts.
I heard the sound of someone in the hallway at night and my heart skipped a beat.
It was a quiet village with no sound of people.
Compound of 人 (ひと, 'person') and 音 (おと, 'sound'). The reading ひとおと is a straightforward combination of the kun'yomi readings.